Cold wave kills 34 more in UP, death toll now 233

The intense cold wave in North India has snuffed out 34 more lives in Uttar Pradesh taking the toll to 233 with the mercury dipping to sub-zero levels in atleast five districts of the state.

Reports reaching here said that five people succumbed to the cold in Deoria, while Ghazipur, Kushinagar and Maharajganj saw four deaths each. Ballia, Rae Bareli and Etah saw three deaths apiece and, Bijnore, Mirzapur, Chandauli also witnessed two deaths each. Deaths were also reported in Bahraich and Hathras.

Reuters

Met office sources said that mercury fell to sub-zero levels in Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Ghazipur, Kanpur and Lucknow and the minimum temperature was around ten notches below normal.

Gorakhpur and Ghazipur with minus one degree were the coldest places in the state (-10 and -9 respectively) followed by Lucknow with minus eight sources said, adding that Kanpur which was the coldest place in the state yesterday registering a temperature of minus 1.1 was now fractionally warmer.

Though the state capital Lucknow today experienced sunshine giving some respite to the people, the overall weather continued to be cold because of freezing winds.